The protagonist or is that antagonist of his Killers Incorporated
Series.

Truly, if your MC (main character) is a serial killer is he known
as both the protagonist and antagonist? Hmm . . .

We'll research that later. Now onto to our interview with Leon.

I mean, dare I keep the man waiting?

As an introduction, here's what Stuart says about
his top killer in Strike

Leon Garber’s an accountant and occasional assassin. But he’s one
of the good guys. See, Leon’s only interested in taking out abusers. He’s not
the only serial killer on a mission, though. His past employer Like Minded
Individuals, Inc. (LMI for short), employs quite a few. Mostly, Leon was a
model employee. Or at least, he was until that little falling-out he had with
them last year. Now he’s got a target on his back. He’s seriously out-numbered,
but even worse, LMI has hired Leon’s former associate, Cody Spangler, to track
him down. Unfortunately for Leon, someone else from Leon’s past, someone he
never wanted to see again, has other ideas for Leon’s welfare.

Welcome to Defending the Pen, Leon. Why don't
you tell the readers a little about you?

Thank you for having me, but I think you've just
done that. I'm a man on a mission, and as they say on TV, I have some baggage.

Yes, well, true. I guess we all have a little
baggage. Please make yourself comfortable. If you prefer I can close the
curtains. (The man seems more interested in the street out front.)

No, please, I need to stay alert. Thank you. (He
sits on the edge of a chair)

Leon, you're the first serial killer I've
invited here. How and why do you kill your victims?

Wait. Um, who told you about me? And this
is...not going to be published, correct? And it will be confidential, I assume.
Well, first of all, "serial killer" is such a nasty term. I tend to
think of my occupation as pest control. All of my "projects" are
abusive, horrible monsters. I'm making the world a safer, kinder place. And
even though they don't deserved it, I'm very humane in my product disposal.

Yes, very humane. You seem to be able to
disappear or recreate yourself on a frequent basis. Did Like-Minded
Individuals, Inc. teach you these skills or is this something you pursued and
mastered on your own?

I suppose you could say LMI, Inc. was indirectly
responsible for this skill set since I've never had to use it before, really,
until they came after me. We used to have such a beneficially
rewarding relationship; LMI supplied me with a list of abusive projects, false papers,
identities and cover jobs. They also offered clean-up crews (although I prefer to
clean up after my own projects, not afraid to dirty my hands by good, honest
work), and many other perks. All for a hefty price tag, of course. It was very
nice. For a while. Until they broke their contract and turned on me.

They have thrown a monkey wrench into the works,
but you seem to stay ahead them. Tell us about your lifestyle. It doesn't seem
conducive to a relationship, would you like to change that and if so what type
of woman would catch your eye and keep your attention?

Of course I would, Yolanda! But...I'm not sure
if I could maintain an honest relationship with a woman. After all honesty is the basis for all solid relationships. So I've heard. Alas, my after-hours
occupation doesn't exactly lend itself to pillow talk. Having said
that...recently I met a beautiful, smart, wonderful woman who's also
disenchanted with LMI. The problem? She's somewhat of a "black widow"
killer sort. Not sure if I could ever relax. Again...no one but you's going to
see this, right?

That's why I asked. I notice in Strike that
you'd met someone interesting. Will that blossom?

We'll just have to see how our adventures
play out in the final and third memoir, King of Killers.

Is there anything you can tell us about King of
Killers?

Um,
no. Sorry, Yolanda, it hasn't played out yet. But I imagine things are going to
get even uglier.

Well, then we'll end on a positive note. Is
there something that you wish to achieve in your lifetime?

Yes, the total destruction of Like-Minded
Individuals, it's board members, its corporate holdings and financial empire.
Once I achieve that perhaps impossible feat. Then I'll retire. From...um taking
on projects. Or I'm going to go down trying. LMI's betrayal--lying to me about
my projects being abusers when it was just to further their political and
economic goals--is unforgiveable. They're perhaps the worst abusers in the
world.

A worthy goal and one I hope you achieve. Nevertheless,
what does the future hold once you've achieved that goal?

Yolanda, I'm not sure I HAVE a future beyond
today. One day at a time. Thanks so much for keeping this all confidential. I
truly appreciate it. It's not often I get to unburden myself to someone. Being
a "Like-Minded Individual" is very stressful.

I can understand why. You're a serial killer, a
vigilante, a hero with baggage. Truly, that's not a burden I could carry.

Thank you,
Leon, for sharing your story with us.

I wave as he drives away, thankful that he's
driving away. Then I rush to the phone to call the Real Estate agent. What was
I thinking inviting a serial killer into my home!

I live in Kansas. It's a curse
and a blessing. It's a curse because...well, it's Kansas. But it's great
because Kansas is creepy. Lots of cool and strange things happen here in the
midwest. I'll be writing about them in both young adult and adult thrillers.

I'm married to a professor of pharmacy (who greatly appreciates that I now
prepare dinner for her) and have a 20 year old daughter, who hasn't yet decided
what to do with her life. But that's okay...it took me 25 years or longer.

Full disclosure, I'm trying to give this writing thing a full-time swing. Hence my huge amount of books. So far, I've met a varying degree of success. The most important thing in writing? Having an understanding companion with a secure job.

Snarky interview. I enjoyed reading this. That's a lot of books to have in such a short time, Stuart. I was amazed. I figure serial killers probably wouldn't turn hero because of the most obvious reasons, Yolanda. But one never knows, right?

Would love to hear from you, say hello and leave your blog address - I'll visit, but please take with you my undying gratitude that you stopped by for a read. Be well, be happy, and may your blog surfing bring you joy!